Investment Director Climate Growth Equity – Climate & Energy Transition Solutions (“CETS”)

Jouw rol

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Investment Director to help drive the newly established PGGM Climate & Energy Transition Solutions (CETS) investment mandate. This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in deploying capital into scalable, high impact companies and projects that accelerate Europe’s transition to a netzero economy. You will partner with entrepreneurial management teams who are building real, tangible solutions for the energy transition.

As a senior member of the team, you will take ownership of the full investment cycle: sourcing, evaluating, structuring, executing, and managing predominantly direct investments across the energy transition landscape. Directors are expected to play a key role in shaping the team’s development, strengthening internal capabilities, positioning the team internally and externally, as well as contributing to the overall portfolio construction. 

The ideal candidate combines deep sector expertise with a strong investment track record and brings a genuine passion for enabling the climate transition. You take ownership and are motivated by the opportunity to build long-term value and positive impact.

The Investment Director's key responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership

• Identify priority thematic areas and emerging technologies with strong risk-adjusted return potential and meaningful climate impact.
• Help shape strategic perspectives on market developments and sector positioning across the energy transition.
• Contribute to the development of overall fund strategy, including portfolio construction, risk management, and internal stakeholder alignment.

Deal Origination & Execution

• Lead the sourcing of high-quality direct investment opportunities across relevant (see below list) sectors and geographies.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with entrepreneurs, co-investors, advisors, and other strategic partners.
• Oversee due diligence processes, including commercial, financial, technical, climate impact (ESG), and legal workstreams.
• Structure and negotiate investment terms, lead deal the execution process, and cooperate with internal stakeholders to achieve optimal outcomes for our client PFZW.

Asset Management

• Monitor portfolio performance and work closely with management teams to drive value creation and operational excellence.
• Provide active governance through board participation and strategic support at key decision points.
• Evaluate and execute follow-on investments and manage exit processes to optimize risk adjusted returns.

Team Leadership & Representation

• Mentor, guide, and develop junior team members, fostering a collaborative and high performance culture.
• Represent the firm in industry events, investor meetings, and public engagements.
• Act as an ambassador for the mandate’s mission, values, and impact objectives within the broader energy transition community.

Jouw afdeling binnen PGGM

PGGM is a Dutch pension fund service provider responsible for managing the pensions for different pension funds, their affiliated employers and employees, with more than €250 billion assets under management.

Climate and Energy Transition Solutions (CETS) is a €1 billion investment strategy of PGGM, launched in 2024. The strategy was established to invest in companies where climate impact is embedded in the core of the business and scales alongside commercial success. Approximately €800 million is allocated to direct equity investments managed by the team.

CETS focuses on opportunities across areas such as grid solutions, energy efficiency, circularity, sustainable fuels and carbon solutions. The team invests across growth equity and more asset backed strategies, partnering closely with founders and management teams as companies move from initial commercial deployment towards scalable growth.

Since its launch, CETS has built a portfolio of five companies. The team is growing and currently consists of four investment professionals. CETS works closely with the PGGM’s Infrastructure and Private Equity teams and invests primarily in developed European markets, with a strong focus on the Netherlands.

Jouw achtergrond

Essential Experience

• 12+ years of experience in private equity, growth capital, venture capital, or principal investing roles.
• Deep understanding of climate and energy transition markets, including trends, technologies, and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven track record in sourcing and executing direct investments, ideally in climate tech or energy transition sectors.
• Hands-on experience in supporting early stage and growth-stage companies, including FOAKs, guiding them through strategic development and operational scaling to achieve EBITDA positive performance

Strong understanding of business models and value chains in one or more of the following:

• Renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, storage)
• Electrification and grid solutions
• Sustainable fuels (e.g., green hydrogen, biofuels)
• Circularity (e.g. recycling, more energy efficient solutions)
•  Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) or carbon market

Skills & Attributes

• Strong financial modelling, valuation, and structuring skills.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strategic thinker with entrepreneurial mindset and hands-on approach.
• Deep commitment to sustainability, climate impact, and ESG integration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Finance, Economics, Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• CFA, MBA, or other relevant professional credentials.
• Multilingual and/or international investment experience is a plus.

Wat wij bieden

At PGGM we are proud of our core values: trust, teamwork and innovation. These values arose from the best stories of our colleagues, moments when they were at their best. We believe those moments occur when you can be 100% yourself. At PGGM, we value the unique combination of your personal and professional attributes. Because what really counts at PGGM are people, one hundred percent! At PGGM, you can count on:

• A pleasant workplace at our office in Zeist and, from the middle of 2028, in the center of Utrecht.
• A gross monthly salary in scale 18 between 11.591 and 16.560 based on 40 hours, depending on your knowledge and experience.
• A thirteenth month.
• Variable pay
• A good pension scheme as a member of the PFZW pension fund (71% paid by PGGM, 29% by the employee).
• An annual Fit for the Future budget of €300 net, which you can use to improve your mental, physical, or financial fitness.
• A generous training budget for internal and external training courses or education.
• More than 26 vacation days (employees can choose to swap up to two national Christian holidays for a day that is important to them).
• Flexibility in working hours and working from home options.
• A net internet allowance of €45 per month (€540 per year).
• Group discount on supplementary health insurance (21% in 2024) and dental insurance (15% in 2024).
• A work-from-home arrangement with a maximum allowance of €900 to set up a health and safety-compliant home office.

You can find more information about our terms of employment and salary scales in our collective labor agreement.

Meer weten?

Application deadline is April 15th.

You are most welcome to apply through our webiste, via the blue button.

Applications via mail will not be reviewed, we kindly request you to apply through the website in order to comply with GDPR regulations. Click here to learn more about how we process your personal data.

Please contact Tijmen, recruiter, via [email protected] for more information about the role.

We always communicate via official PGGM email addresses (@pggm.nl). Have you been approached by a third party and/or are you unsure whether the contact is genuinely on behalf of PGGM? Feel free to check whether there is a legitimate collaboration with third parties by emailing or calling us.